Kasich holding lead in Rasmussen poll

Wednesday

Sep 29, 2010 at 12:01 AMSep 29, 2010 at 1:06 PM

In contrast to surveys released yesterday showing a tight governor's race, a Rasmussen Reports poll today shows Republican John Kasich with an 8-point lead over Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland, 1 point more than two weeks ago.

In contrast to surveys released yesterday showing a tight governor's race, a Rasmussen Reports poll today shows Republican John Kasich with an 8-point lead over Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland, 1 point more than two weeks ago.

Kasich is up 50-42%, compared to 50-43% a fortnight ago. Rasmussen still considers the race "leans Republican."

Kasich is taking 92% of the Republican vote, while just 80% of Democrats support Strickland, Rasmussen says. Kasich is winning independents by more than 30 points.

Currently 58% of Ohio voters disapprove of Strickland's job performance, compared to 41% who approve - essentially the same breakdown as for the past several months.

Almost all Tea Party voters (96%) back Kasich, while 56% of non-Tea Party voters are behind Strickland.

Kasich is regarded favorably by 51% of voters and unfavorably by 37%, Rasmussen says. That includes 32% with a very favorable opinion of the GOP candidate and 24% with a very unfavorable one.

Stricklandís numbers are 46% favorable and 52% unfavorable, including 27% very favorable and 33% very unfavorable.

Most Ohio voters say the country's current economic problems are due more to the recession that began under President George W. Bush than to the policies of President Barack Obama. But 56% disagree with Obama's recent statement that the current policies of the federal government have put the country on the right course.

The automated telephone survey of 500 likely Ohio voters was conducted Monday with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.